To enable Nepal sustain its polio-free status and ensure the continuity of polio-related activities after the Global Polio Eradication Initiative scales down support, a high-level consultative meeting was held in Kathmandu to finalize the Polio Transition Plan (PTP) and Polio Outbreak Response Plan (PORP).
Led by the Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) and Director-General (DG) of the Department of Health Services (DoHS), the meeting saw participation from senior officials of the National Planning Commission, National Immunization Committee (NIC), Polio Legacy Committee (PLC), Ministry of Education, and partner agencies including WHO, UNICEF, USAID, and Nepal National PolioPlus Committee, under Rotary International.
A presentation by Dr Balkrishna Suvedi, National Expert, from WHO, Country Office for Nepal, on the draft Polio Transition Plan for Nepal at the high-level consultative meeting in Kathmandu, Bagmati Province. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya
The Polio Transition Plan is instrumental to help Nepal sustain its polio-free status by facilitating the continuity of the functions of the polio program, transitioning polio assets to support other health priorities (routine immunization, surveillance of other priority vaccine-preventable disease (VPD), and outbreak investigation), capturing and transferring lessons learned from polio activities to other programs, which includes reaching and working in hard-to-reach areas and/or conflict areas.
The Family Welfare Division (FWD), which is leading the drafting process, presented the draft plans, prepared in consultation with different divisions of DoHS, National Certification Committee for Polio Eradication (NCCPE), and National Immunization Advisory Committee (NIAC).
A presentation by Dr Nirmal Kumar Jha, Consultant for Polio Outbreak Response Plan, from WHO, Country Office for Nepal, on the draft Polio Outbreak Response Plan for Nepal at the high-level consultative meeting in Kathmandu, Bagmati Province. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya
Participants shared their feedback, reviewed key recommendations, and constructive inputs from NIC and PLC were incorporated into the final versions of both plans at the meeting. Stakeholders also signed a commitment to accelerate the progress on the transition plan at the meeting.
Dr Roshan Pokhrel, Secretary of MoHP (left); Dr Dipendra Raman Singh, DG of DoHS; and Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, WHO Representative to Nepal, sign the commitment to accelerate progress of the Polio Transition Plan in Nepal. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya
“The Government of Nepal has acknowledged the importance of these plans to sustain Vaccine Preventable Disease surveillance activities, and the Ministry is committed to endorse it on time and sustain surveillance activities," said Dr Dipendra Raman Singh, Director-General of DoHS.
Since 1998, WHO has been providing continued technical assistance to the Government of Nepal on polio surveillance. In 2014, Nepal was declared polio-free by WHO after maintaining polio-free status for three consecutive years.
Secretary of MoHP, Dr. Roshan Pokhrel, sharing his recommendations on the draft plans. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya
With more than 1600 surveillance sites set up across the country, Nepal has been able to detect all suspected VPD cases in a timely manner. This resulted in Nepal being able to sustain polio-free status, achieve neonatal tetanus elimination, and control rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, and Japanese encephalitis.
Dignitaries committing to a polio-free Nepal at the high-consultative meeting. Photo credit: WHO Nepal/S.G.Amatya
“WHO is committed to continuing its support to monitor polio-transition activities and help Nepal identify sustainable financial resources to ensure the country remains polio-free,” said Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, WHO Representative to Nepal.
The final plan will now be sent to the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) for endorsement.